Method and System of Control Signaling for a Wireless Access Network

ABSTRACT

A method and system of control signaling for a wireless access network includes receiving from a wireless access network a signaling message for a mobile device. The signaling message is in a wireless-specific format. The signaling message is converted to a native format of a call agent to generate a call agent message. The call agent message comprises wireless-specific information of the signaling message.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/907,626 filed Jul. 18, 2001 and entitled “Method and System of Control signaling for a Wireless Access Network”.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/907,785 entitled “Method and System for Providing Supplementary Services for a Wireless Access Network,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/908,081 entitled “Method and System for Providing Wireless-Specific Services for a Wireless Access Network,” all filed on Jul. 18, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of wireless communications, and more particularly to a method and system of control signaling for a wireless access network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional wireless networks include a number of base transceiver stations (BTSs) and one or more mobile switching centers (MSCs) and base station controllers (BSCs). The BTSs each cover a geographic region, or cell of the wireless network and communicate with mobile telephones in the cell. The MSCs/BSCs provide switch and soft handoff functionality for the wireless network.

To support mobility and supplementary services within and across wireless access networks, wireless-specific interfaces such as IS-41 are used to communicate with a network control plane. Integration of such wireless specific interfaces into call agents or servers of the control plane for signaling between the control plane and the access network is problematic because the call agent/servers typically utilize session initiation protocol (SIP) for signaling and standardized SIP does not support wireless-specific functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and system of control signaling for a wireless access network that substantially eliminates or reduces the problems and disadvantages associated with previous methods and systems. In a particular embodiment, session initiation protocol (SIP) extensions are used to support wireless-specific functionality and to integrate or interface mobility control functions (MCF) to a call agent or call server.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method and system of control signaling for a wireless access network includes receiving from the wireless access network a signaling message in a wireless-specific format. The signaling message may be for a mobile device within, entering, leaving or otherwise associated with the wireless access network. The signaling message is converted to a native format of a call agent to generate a call agent message for processing by the call agent. The call agent message includes wireless-specific information of the signaling message.

More specifically, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the call agent message is a SIP message. In this embodiment, the SIP message may include an extension carrying the wireless-specific information. The signaling message may be a call establishment, mobility management, registration, location update or other suitable message for providing wireless-specific functionality to the mobile device.

Technical advantages of the present invention include providing an improved method and system of control signaling for a wireless access network. In particular, wireless-specific messages are converted to a native format for processing by a common or shared call agent. Accordingly, the call agent need not be reprogrammed to communicate with a mobility manager of a wireless access network over a wireless-specific interface.

Another technical advantage of the present invention includes providing an improved mobility manager, or mobility control function (MCF) for the control plane of the communication network. In particular, the MCF is integrated or interfaced with a call agent or call server to provide a common control network across wireless and wireline networks. The MCF may use an extended (SIP) interface to communicate with the call agent and translate between the wireless-specific interface and the extended SIP interface. Because SIP is a widely-used protocol, wireless-specific extensions can be standardized across networks for enhanced interoperability.

Still another technical advantage of the present invention includes supporting new location-based or other wireless-specific services with the call agent. For example, using extended SIP, the call agent may support call establishment, mobility management, registration and location updates for mobile devices in a wireless access network. Location-based services may provide the location of a mobile user to a called party, a calling party or business or other establishment in the area of the mobile user.

The various embodiments of the present invention may include all, some or none of the enumerated advantages. Furthermore, other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an integrated wireline and wireless communication network in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for wireless-specific control signaling in the communication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for mobile device registration in the communication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating session initiation protocol (SIP) messages for basic services and mobility management for mobile devices in the communication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for basic call handling for mobile devices in the communication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating SIP messages for basic call handling for mobile devices in the communication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A-B are flow diagrams illustrating methods for handoffs between legacy systems and patent networks for mobile devices in the communication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A-B are tables illustrating SIP messages for handoffs between the legacy systems and packet networks for mobile devices in the communication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-B are block diagrams illustrating connections for mobile device handoff in the packet network and legacy system of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing supplementary services for wireless calls in the communication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11A-I are tables illustrating SIP messages for providing supplementary services for wireless calls in the communication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a call flow diagram illustrating messages for caller location presentation and restriction services in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication network 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the communication network 10 includes a cellular wireless network in which terrestrial wireless transmissions originate in geographically delimited cells. It will be understood that the present invention may be used in connection with satellite and other suitable wireless networks.

Referring to FIG. 1, the communication network 10 includes a wireless network 12 connected to a wireline network 14 through an air gateway 16 that separates signaling and bearer traffic and converts traffic between wireless and wireline formats. The air gateway may comprise a packet data serving node (PDSN) for CDMA or CDMA 2000 or comprise a signaling gateway server node (SGSN) for universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) or other suitable node. In the CDMA embodiment, the PDSN 16 may have a router that directs traffic in the bearer plane between the wireless and wireline networks 12 and 14. In one embodiment, the PDSN 16 includes a data interworking function (IWF) that provides connectivity between the wireless and the wireline networks 12 and 14 via circuit switched and packet switched wireless data protocols. It will be understood that connectivity between the wireless and wireline networks 12 and 14 may be otherwise suitably provided without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The wireless and wireline networks 12 and 14 are managed by a service/control layer 20. In one embodiment, the wireless network 12 comprises a radio access network (RAN), the wireline network 14 comprises an Internet protocol (IP) core network 14 and the service/control layer 20 comprises a core control network 20. In this embodiment, the RAN 12 is coupled to the core control network 20 through a mobility control function (MSF), air agent or other suitable mobility manager 22. The IP core network 14 is coupled to the core control network 20 through the MCF 22 and a call agent 24. The MCF 22 may, in one embodiment, be integrated into the call agent 24.

As described in more detail below, the call agent 24 provides for home base control of basic call and feature interaction. The call agent 24 is also responsible for handling call roaming between different networks while wireless mobility during a call is handled by the MCF 22. In one embodiment, the MCF 22 provides the call agent 24 with handoff addresses and the call agent 24 communicates with the IP core network 14 to change call circuits for handoffs. The MCF 22, call agent 24 and other element of the communication network 10 may perform a task by themselves taking a specified action, initiating the action and/or directing another element to take the action.

The MCF 22 and the call agent 24 communicate signaling messages over an extended session initiated protocol (SIP) or other native interface, or format of the call agent 24. Accordingly, the call agent 24 may handle wireless-specific events of the RAN 12 without wireless-specific interfaces to the MCF 22. The native interface of the call agent 24 may comprise any suitable interface utilized by the call agent 24 for processing control, management or other signaling messages for one or more of an IP, DSL and/or other wireline network 14. In one embodiment, the native interface of the call agent 24 is a common interface used by the call agent 24 to process signaling messages for substantially all or all connected wireline, wireless and other networks.

The RAN 12 includes a number of base transceiver stations (BTSs) 30 connected to base station controllers (BCSs) 32 over a RAN transport ring or network 34. The BTSs 30 each cover a geographic region, or cell of the RAN 12 and communicate with mobile devices 36 in the cell. As used herein, each means every one of at least a subset of the identified items. The mobile devices 36 may be cell phones, data phones, portable data devices, portable computers, hand-held devices, hand sets, portable network appliances or other suitable devices or stations capable of communicating information over a wireless link 38.

The BSCs 32 are connected to each other, to the PDSN 16 and to the MCF 22 of the core control network 20. The BSCs 32 and the MCF 22 provide switch and soft handoff functionality for the RAN 12. In this way, voice, video, data and other information is routed to and from the mobile devices 36 and connections are maintained with the mobile devices 36 as they move throughout the RAN 12 and between the RAN 12 and other legacy systems and/or packet networks.

The wireless link 38 is a radio frequency (RF) link. The wireless link 38 may be based on established technologies or standards such as IS-54 (TDMA), IS-95 (CDMA), GSM and AMTS, 802.11 base LAN, or more recent technology such as CDMA 2000 and W-CDMA or proprietary radio interfaces. In a particular embodiment, wireless link 38 comprises a code division multiple access (CDMA) link based on a CDMA standard and in which packets are segmented into radio frames for transmission over the wireless interface and reassembled by the receiving device to reconstitute the packets.

The IP core network 14 includes a packet-switched or other suitable core transport network 50 connecting a number of routers, servers and/or gateways to each other, to the PDSN 16 and thus the RAN 12 as well as the core control network 20. In a particular embodiment, the core transport network 50 connects the PDSN 16, and thus the RAN 12 to the public switch telephone network (PSTN) through a voice/PSTN gateway 52. The core transport network 50 may also connect the PDSN 16 and RAN 12 to a remotely located PDSN through a PDSN/foreign agent (FA) gateway 54, to global system for mobile communications (GSN) through GSN gateway 56 and to a handoff gateway 58. The PDSN/FA gateway 54 provides a data gateway for CDMA 2000. The GSN gateway 56 provides a data gateway. The handoff gateway 58 provides a gateway for voice traffic. It will be understood that the core transport network 50 may connect the PDSN 16 and RAN 12 to other suitable gateways, such as a wireless access protocol (WAP) gateway for a home agent corporate virtual private network (VPN). The gateways 52, 54, 56 and 58 along with a control plane signaling system 7 (SS7) gateway 60 are managed by the call agent 24 of the core control network 20.

The handoff gateway 58 interfaces to the legacy MSC/BSC network. In a particular embodiment, DS0/DS1 circuits are used for interfacing the legacy networks and the circuits are added and deleted during handoff from packet network to legacy system. In operation, the handoff gateway 58 provides a point of attachment for calls across networks. A call may be any suitable connection or set of connections in which video, audio, voice, data or other information is exchanged. It will be understood that functionality of the handoff gateway 58 may be implemented in the voice/PSTN gateway 52 or otherwise suitably implemented.

The core control network 20 includes the MCF 22 and the call agent 24, as well as an air broker 80, lightweight director access protocols (LDAP) 82, legacy MSC 84, home location register (HLR)/visitor location register (VLR) or other suitable registration database 86 and service agent/feature server (FS) 88. In a particular embodiment, the MCF 22 may communicate with the RAN 12 and the legacy MSC using IS-41 or other wireless-specific interface. A wireless-specific interface is an interface or protocol especially adapted for radio frequency or mobile traffic or signaling and not typically used by wireline networks 14. The PDSN 16 may communicate with the MCF 22 using media gateway control protocol (MGCP)/common open policy server (COPS). The MCF 22 may communicate with the FS 88 using markup language (XML). The call agent may communicate with the FS 88 using SIP and may communicate with the HLR/VLR 86 and the legacy MSC using IS-41-D. It will be understood that the RAN 12, IP core network 14 and core control network 20 may communicate internally and with each other using other suitable interfaces, protocols and formats. It will be further understood that call agent 24, MCF 22 as well as other elements in the core control network 20 and/or radio access and IP core networks 12 and 14 may otherwise communicate with each other. For example, the call agent 24 may directly communicate with and control the air gateway and/or PDSN 16. Similarly, the MCF 22 may directly communicate and/or interface with the HLR/VLR 86.

The MCF 22 provides a wireless access interface for the RAN 12 and support wireless-specific and mobility functions of the RAN 12. In a particular embodiment, the MCF 22 provides temporary line directory number (TLDN) management and innerworks with the call agent 24 to assign TLDN for incoming mobile calls. The MCF 22 may manage all types of handoffs and may interface with the handoff gateway 58 for inner system handoffs. The MCF 22 may also support a vocoder and may anchor the bearer traffic path at the PDSN 16, except in cases where the mobile subscriber is roaming off net. A mobile subscriber is roaming off net when it is roaming and registered in another packet network or a legacy system. A packet network is a network where the data and control plane are IP based or packet switched. The legacy system comprises BTSs, BSCs. and MSCs. A mobile subscriber is roaming on net when it is registered and active in the packet network managed by the MCF 22.

The call agent 24 may be a generic and/or shared call agent operable to manage call establishment for a plurality of network types, such as DSL, cable and wireless. The generic call agent 24 need not have wireless-specific interfaces to communicate with the RAN 12. In one embodiment, the call agent 24 provides call control and supplementary services using internal or external FS 88. The call agent 24 may also provide management and mobility support in connection with the MCF 22 and provide a call signaling anchor. Additionally, the call agent 24 may provide other services such as message waiting notification, message retrieval, short message service and the like. The call agent 24 interfaces with the legacy MSC 84 as well as PSTN via the PSTN gateway 52. The call agent 24 may have an ISDN user port (ISUP)/SS7 signal interface to the gateways 52, 54, 56 and 58.

Other functions of the call agent 24 may include feature code update and acknowledgment provided to mobile devices 36 that are on net, call retrieval to access voice mail service, call terminations to mobile subscribers homed in the legacy MSC 84. For retrieved calls, the call agent 24 may provide a retrieve trigger point or detect during digit analysis. For outgoing call originations from the packet network to other mobile subscribers, the call agent 24 may determine after a digit analysis that the number called is another mobile subscriber by using a block of mobile subscribers registered on the network that can be queried to determine if the number is a mobile subscriber or a PSTN call. The call agent 24 may additionally innerwork with the MCF 22 when a TLDN is assigned for call terminations to on net mobile subscribers in the packet network. The call agent 24 may further notify the MCF 22 when a TLDN expires to allow the MCF 22 to free up the TLDN.

To support wireless-specific functionality, the MCF 22 and call agent 24 communicate using extended SIP or other suitable protocol native to the call agent 24. In a particular embodiment, the MCF 22 may comprise an A interface input port for communicating with the RAN 12, A translator for translating A interface formatted messages to extended SIP formatted messages and an extended SIP interface for communicating with the call agent 24. In this embodiment, the call agent 24 may include an extended SIP interface for communicating with the MCF 22 and an IS-41-D interface for communicating with the legacy network 84 and HLR/VLR 86. It will be understood that the MCF 22 and call agent 24 may comprise other suitable functionality without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the SIP embodiment, core SIP defined by RFC 2543 is used for basic call setup. SIP extensions are used to carry wireless-specific parameters and also used support the transport of mid-call and call independent signaling as well as to register or de-register new subscribers. The SIP extensions may be negotiated during call set up. In a particular embodiment the multipart multipurpose Internet mail extension (MIME) with multipart/mixed media type is used to allow the SIP body to contain multiple payloads. The single-part MIME is also used when only one MCAP payload is needed in the SIP message. The MCAP payload is case intensive, text-based data in an event name followed by parameters format. The format and number of mandatory parameters depend on the event name. The SIP:INFO method with MCAP payload is used to support mid-call signaling and call independent signaling. Standard SIP register requests are extended to carry the MCAP payload containing extended register parameters to support mobile registration.

The interface for the SIP extensions may comprise a SIP request or response identifier, followed by SIP headers/parameters, followed by content-type: application/application type, followed by content-length:xx, followed by carriage return line feed (CRLF) followed by the message body with the requested event or notification. Events and notifications may be optional and only used if the SIP request or response has not itself determined the event that occurred.

The MCF 22, call agent 24, and other nodes and/or elements of the core control network 20, RAN 12 and IP core network 14 may be implemented as functional instructions, code or other logic encoded in media. The logic encoded in media may comprise software stored on a computer-readable medium as well as programmed application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmed hardware. The media may comprise different mediums and may be distributed across a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for wireless-specific control signaling in a communication network 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, control signaling is received in the core control network by the MCF 22, converted to extended SIP and forwarded to the common, or generic call agent 24 for processing. Thus, the MCF may be a SIP client and/or SIP proxy. It will be understood that if the control signaling is received in an extended SIP format, it need not be translated by the MCF 22 but may be passed directly to the call agent 24 for processing.

Referring to FIG. 2, the method begins at step 100 in which the mobile device 36 generates a signaling message for a wireless event in the A interface, IS-41, IS-634 for CDMA, RAN application port (RANAP (UMTS)) or other wireless-specific format. Next, at step 102, the mobile device 36 forwards the signaling message to the MCF 22 through the RAN transport network 34 and the BSC 32. In the IS-41 embodiment, the signaling message may be received at an IS-41 port of the MCF 22.

Proceeding to step 104, the MCF 22 converts the signaling message from the wireless-specific format to a call agent message in the SIP format. The MCF 22 may convert the message by translating the message or by otherwise suitably generating a new message based on the signaling message. The conversion may comprise interworking or tunneling for carrying the wireless-specific information into the SIP domain. For tunneling, session description protocol (SDP) may be enhanced and utilized. The SIP message may incorporate location or other wireless event information from the message or information indicative of that information in the signaling message. In a particular embodiment, the signaling message may be mapped to a SIP message using a lookup table. The SIP message may be a standardized SIP message or include extensions. For extensions, wireless event information may be extracted from the signaling message during conversion and encapsulated into an extension in the body of a SIP message.

At step 106, the call agent or SIP message, with or without an extension, is forwarded to the call agent 24 for handling. Accordingly, the call agent 24 need not communicate with the MCF 22 using a access network-specific protocol. The call agent 24 may respond to the SIP message and/or generate further control messages to process the SIP message.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method for mobile device registration in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the method begins at step 120 in which a mobile registration message is received by the call agent 24 from the MCF 22. As previously described, the mobile registration message as well as other messages received by the call agent 24 from the MCF 22 are translated or otherwise converted by the MCF 22 into extended SIP and received by the call agent 24 at an extended SIP interface operable to receive and process standard and extended SIP. At step 122, the mobile device 36 is registered by the call agent 24 in connection with the HLR/VLR 86. Alternatively, the MCF 22 may pass the message to the HLR/VLR 86 through an IS-41 interface.

Step 122 leads to state 124 in which the mobile is registered in the RAN 12. In response to an unregister message, state 124 transitions to step 126 in which the mobile device 36 is unregistered by the call agent 24. Returning to state 124, in response to a cancellation message from the mobile device 36, state 124 transitions again to step 126 in which the mobile device 36 is unregistered. Also at state 124, in response to the expiration of a timer or predefined period of time, state 124 transitions to decisional step 128.

At decisional step 128, if a location update is not received within the predefined period of time, the No branch also leads to step 126 in which the mobile device 36 is unregistered by the call agent 24. If a location update is received within the predefined period of time, the Yes branch of decisional step 128 returns to registered state 124. Thus, absent an unregistration or cancellation message and while location updates are received, mobile device 36 will remain in the registration state 124. When the mobile device 36 unregisters, cancels registration or fails to update its location, as previously described, the mobile device 36 is unregistered.

FIG. 4 illustrates signaling messages for basic call services and mobility management for mobile devices 36 in the RAN 12 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the RAN 12 communicates with the call agent 24 through the MCF 22 using extended SIP, which is a SIP format or set of messages including one or more SIP extensions.

Referring to FIG. 4, the SIP messages for basic services of mobility management include a mobile registration message 140, a mobile unregisters message 142, a location update request (LUR) message 144 and a registration cancellation message 146. It will be understood that other suitable messages may be used for basic services of mobility management for a wireless access network without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The mobile registration message 140 is an extended SIP message generated by the MCF 22 and forwarded to the call agent 24 for processing. The mobile unregisters message 142 and LUR message 144 are also extended SIP messages generated by the MCF 22 and forwarded for processing by the call agent 24. The registration cancellation message is an extended SIP message generated by the call agent 24 based on a HLR/VLR 86 message for forwarding to the MCF 22 for processing. The SIP extension parameters for basic services and mobility management include the number of the mobile, or ESN, and cell I.D. It will be understood that other suitable extensions may be included with the extended SIP messages without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for basic call handling for the RAN 12 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, call handling messages are converted by the MCF 22 to extended SIP and forwarded to the call agent 24 for processing.

Referring to FIG. 5, the method begins at step 160 in which a call origination message is received by the MCF 22 for the mobile device 36. A message is generated for the mobile device 36 when it is generated by the mobile device, for delivery to the mobile device or in connection with a call or event associated with the mobile device. At step 162, the call origination message is forwarded to call agent 24 after translation or other suitable conversion by the MCF 22 to extended SIP format.

Proceeding to decisional step 164, the call agent 24 determines whether the mobile device 36 is on net by accessing the HLR/VLR 86. If the mobile device 36 is on net, the Yes branch of decisional step 164 leads to step 166. At step 166, profile information for the mobile device 36 is retrieved at the call agent 24 from the FS 88 and/or HLR/VLR 86. Next, at step 168, the call is routed from the call agent 24 to the mobile device 36 through the MCF 22. Step 168 leads to the end of the process by which mobile device 36 in the RAN 12 is connected to an incoming call.

Returning to decisional step 164, if the mobile device 36 is not on net, the No branch of decisional step 164 leads to step 170. At step 170, the call agent 24 requests the location of the mobile device 36 from the HLR/VLR 86. Next, at step 172, HLR/VLR 86 requests TLDN from the serving MSC/packet network.

Proceeding to decisional step 174, if the mobile device 36 is not active, the No branch leads to step 176 in which the call agent 24 routes the call to a voicemail server. In one embodiment, the response from the HLR/VLR 86 will include the destination of the voicemail server if the mobile station is not active.

If the mobile station is active, the Yes branch of decisional step 174 leads to step 178 in which the HLR/VLR 86 receives the TLDN from the serving MSC/packet network. At step 180, the TLDN is forwarded to the call agent 24. At step 182, the call agent 24 redirects the call based on the TLDN to the serving MSC/packet network. Step 182 as well as step 176 lead to the end of the process by which an incoming call is connected to the active mobile device 36 or to a voicemail server if the mobile device 36 is not active.

FIG. 6 illustrates messages for basic call handling for the mobile device 36 in the RAN 12 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the RAN 12 communicates with the call agent 24 through the MCF 22 using extended SIP.

Referring to FIG. 6, the SIP messages for basic call handling include a route request message 200, a response to SIP information message 202 and a TLDN timer expiry message 204. It will be understood that other suitable signaling messages may be used for basic call handling for the RAN 12 or other suitable access network without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The route request message 200 originates with the HLR 86 and is translated by the call agent 24 from the IS-41 format to the extended SIP format and forwarded to the MCF 24 for processing. The response to SIP information message 202 is generated by the MCF 22 in the extended SIP format and forwarded to the call agent 24 for processing. The TLDN timer expiry message is also generated by the MCF 22 and forwarded to the call agent 24 for processing. The TLDN and TLDN timer expiry messages 202 and 204 include TLDN SIP extension parameters.

FIG. 7A-B illustrate methods for handoff between the packet network and legacy systems in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 7A illustrates a method for packet network to legacy system handoff in which the caller remains anchored at the call agent 22 and the bearer path remains anchored to the handoff gateway 58. In addition, the call remains active until facilities released is received by the MCF 22. In other embodiments, the bearer path may be anchored in the PSTN gateway 52 or the wireless-specific access gateway 16. FIG. 7B illustrates a method for legacy system to packet network handoff. In handoffs between the legacy system and the packet network, the MCF 22 receives a message indicative of roaming by the mobile device 36 and processes the handoff in connection with the call agent 24.

Referring to FIG. 7A, packet network to legacy system handoff begins at step 220 in which the mobile device 36 roams from the packet network to the legacy system. Next, at step 222, the MCF 22 messages the legacy MSC to set up an inner system trunk for handoff.

Proceeding to step 242, the legacy MSC 84 initiates handoff. At step 226, the legacy MSC 84 completes handoff. The mobile device 36 registers with the serving MSC at step 228.

Proceeding to decisional step 230, if the packet network is the anchor for the connection, the Yes branch leads to step 232 in which the call is maintained in the packet network. At step 234, as long as the call is not terminated but remains active, the No branch returns to step 232 in which the call is maintained. When the call is terminated, the Yes branch of decisional step 234 leads to step 236 in which the MCF 22 is released as well as the handoff gateway 58 and the call agent 24 of the packet network. Returning to decisional step 230, if the packet network is not the anchor for the connection, the No branch leads to step 236 in which the MCF 22 and the call agent 24 are released. Step 236 leads to the end of the process.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the method for legacy system to packet network handoff begins at step 260 in which the mobile device 36 roams from the legacy system to the packet network. Next, at step 262, the legacy system messages the MCF 22 to set up an inner system trunk for handoff.

Proceeding to step 264, the MCF 22 requests BCS 32 resources. At step 266 the mobile device 36 registers with the MCF 22 and HLR/VLR 86 through the call agent 24.

At step 268, the HLR/VLR 86 provides the call agent 24 with profile information for the call. At step 270, the MCF 24 releases the legacy MSC 84. Step 270 leads to the end of the legacy system to packet network handoff.

Handoff between packet networks are handled by the MCF 22 when between RANs 12, by the call agent 24 when between disparate MCFs 22 and between call agents 24 for handoff across disparate call agents. In each case, the MCF 22 and call agent 24 are kept informed of the point of attachment through SIP information messages. SIP messages may also be used for handoff authorization.

FIGS. 8A-B illustrate messages for handoffs between the packet network and the legacy system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 8A illustrates packet network to legacy system handoff messages. FIG. 8B illustrates legacy system to packet network handoff messages.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the packet network to legacy system handoff messages include handoff required message 280, facilities directive response message 282, mobile on channel message 284, registration message 286 and facilities release message 288. The handoff required message 280 is communicated between the MCF 22 and the legacy MSC 84. The facilities directive and mobile on channel messages 282 and 284 are communicated from the legacy MSC to the MCF 22. The registration message 286 is communicated between the call agent 24 and the MCF 22. The facilities release message 288 is communicated between the MCF 22 and the call agent 24.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the legacy system to packet network handoff messages include a facilities directive request message 290, a facilities directive response message 292 and a handoff complete message 294. The facilities directive request message 290 is communicated between the legacy MSC 84 and the MCF 22. The facilities directive response message 292 is communicated from the MCF 22 to the call agent 24. The handoff complete message 294 is communicated from the MCF 22 to the legacy MSC 84. The facilities directive response message 292 includes the ESN and cell I.D. SIP extension parameters.

FIGS. 9A-B illustrate connections for mobile device handoff connections in the packet network and/or legacy system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 9A illustrates anchoring points for packet network to legacy system handoff. FIG. 9B illustrates anchoring points in a packet network for handoff in the legacy system.

Referring to FIG. 9A, for a connection between a PSTN-based telephone 300 and a mobile device 301 in the packet network 303, signaling traffic 304 is routed through the PSTN 302 to a packet core control network 305 for processing. Bearer traffic 306 is routed through the PSTN 302 to the core transport network 307 and to the air gateway 308 for delivery to the mobile device 301.

In response to roaming of the mobile device 301 from the packet network 302 to a legacy system 309, signaling traffic 304 remains anchored at the MCF of the packet core control network but is forwarded back through the call agent of the packet core control network 305 and through the PSTN 302 to a legacy core control network 310 for processing. Signaling between the MCF and call agent may be over an extended SIP or other suitable interface. The bearer traffic 306 remains anchored at the air gateway 308 but is routed back through the core transport network 307 to an MSC and the legacy control network 310 for delivery to the mobile device 301.

Referring to FIG. 9B, for a connection between a mobile device 311 in a legacy system 312 and a mobile device 313 in a packet network 314, bearer traffic is forwarded to and from the mobile device 311 through a BTS, BSC and MSC of the legacy network 312 and a handoff gateway 315 of a core transport network. From the handoff gateway 315, bearer traffic is forwarded to an air gateway and RAN of the packet network 314. In response to the mobile device 311 roaming from a first MSC 316 to a second MSC 317 in the legacy system 312, a time division multiplexed (TDM) circuit for the connection is switched from a first TDM circuit 318 between the first MSC 316 and the air gateway of the packet network 314 to a second TDM circuit 319 between the second MSC 317 and the air gateway of the packet network 314. For handoff, the handoff gateway 315 may detect mobile roaming and inform a call agent of the packet core control network which in turn may inform an MCF and the MCF inform the air gateway to switch the TDM circuit. Signaling between the MCF and call agent may be over an extended SIP or other suitable interface.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for providing supplementary services for wireless calls in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, supplementary services are provided by the call agent 24 in connection with the MCF 22 and the PSDN 16.

Referring to FIG. 10, the method begins at step 300 in which a wireless call is set up. Next, at step 302, call triggers for the call and thus the mobile device 36 are retrieved from the FS 88 by the call agent 24. Proceeding to step 304, the wireless-specific triggers are downloaded to the MCF 22 using extended SIP messages. In one embodiment, the service profile/triggers may be received by the MCF 22 during registration/call origination. At step 306, selected wireless-specific triggers are downloaded to the PDSN 16.

Step 306 leads to state 308 in which the PDSN 16 or other node monitors the call for events associated with the selected wireless-specific triggers. In one embodiment, the events may be detected in/at the MCF 22, the PDSN or other element of the air gateway 16 and/or other bearer gateway. In response to a specified wireless event, state 308 transitions to step 310 in which the call agent 24 is notified by the MCF 22 using extended SIP. Next, at step 312, the call agent 24 processes the SIP message in connection with the FS 88 to provide the supplementary service associated with the event.

Step 312 returns to step 308 in which the call is further monitored for the specified events. Upon call termination, state 308 transitions to the end of the process by which supplementary services are provided by the call agent 24 in connection with the MCF 22 for wireless calls.

FIGS. 11A-I illustrate supplementary service messages in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the messages are SIP messages communicated to, from and/or between the MCF 22 and the call agent 24.

Referring to FIG. 11A, SIP feature activation/deactivation messages include a connection management (CM) server request message 320 and a feature request response message 322. The CM service message 320 is generated by the MCF 22 and communicated to the call agent 24 for processing. The feature request response message 322 is generated by the call agent 24 and forwarded to the MCF 22 for processing. The feature request response message 322 includes a confirmation tone or announcement SIP extension parameter.

Referring to FIG. 11B, SIP messages for abbreviated dialing include CM service request message 324. The CM service request message 324 is generated by the MCF 22 and forwarded to the call agent 24 for processing.

Referring to FIG. 11C, SIP messages for calling number identification presentation/restriction (CNIP/CNIR) include a CM service request message 326 and ISUP initial address message (IAM) message 328. The CM service request message 326 is generated by the MCF 22 and forwarded to the call agent 24 for processing. The ISUP IAM message 328 is generated by the call agent 24 and forwarded to the MCF 22 for processing.

Referring to FIG. 11D, SIP messages for call forwarding unconditional (CFU) include infodir message 330 and flash with information acknowledgment message 332. The infodir message 330 is generated by the call agent 24 and forwarded to the MCF 22 for processing. The infodir message 330 includes treatment code SIP extension parameters. As previously discussed, the treatment code parameters may comprise a confirmation tone or announcement. Upon receipt of the infodir message 330, the MCF 22 sends a flash with information to the mobile device 36 with either the signal parameter or the information record causing the mobile to apply abbreviated alert signal. Call agent 24 sends the result of the alerting action to the HLR/VLR 86 and infodir. The call agent 24 may perform CFU when CFU is activated for calls homed in the packet network.

The flash with information acknowledgment message 332 is generated by MCF 22 in response to the infodir message 330 and forwarded to the call agent 24 for processing.

Referring to FIG. 11E, SIP messages for call forwarding no answer (CFNA) include page or answer timeout message 324. The page or timeout message 324 is generated by the MCF 22 and forwarded to the call agent 24. In one embodiment, the call agent 24 will perform CFNA when the MCF 22 responds with the SIP response code of temporarily unavailable. If the mobile device 36 is homed in the packet network, the call agent 24 will perform the call forwarding. If the mobile device 36 is not homed in the packet network, the call agent 24 responds to the originating MSC with a redirect requirement with redirection parameters set to no answer or no response to paging.

Referring to FIG. 11F, SIP messages for call waiting include ISUP IAM message 336, initial flash with information message 338 and subsequent flash with information message 340. ISUP IAM message 336 is generated by the call agent 24 and forwarded to the MCF 22 for processing. The flash with information messages 338 and 340 are generated by the MCF 22 and forwarded to the call agent 24 for processing. The call agent 24 can receive the incoming call from either PSDN or from the legacy MSC or from the packet network. In one embodiment, the call agent 24 determines from the profile of the mobile device 36 that it has the call waiting feature activated and determines from its state that the mobile device 36 is busy. Because the incoming call is routed based on TLDN or the mobile identification number (MIN) the call agent 24 has mapping of the TLDN to MIN number whenever a TLDN is allocated for the call. In this case, an invite request will be generated by the call agent 24 to the MCF 22 for the second call session. The call agent 24 will include service traffic position (STP) information about the bearer in the invite request.

The MCF 22 will start a second call session for a call and send the flash with information message 338 to the mobile station 36 via the BSC 32. If the mobile device 36 accepts the call, the flash with information message 338 is sent to the MCF 22. The MCF 22 sends an answer message and the first call is placed on hold. The MCF may use media gateway control protocol (MGCP) interface to toggle between the two call agent connections. Subsequently, if the mobile device 36 switches from one call to the other by sending a flash with information message, the MCF 22 will place a current call on hold and switch to the original call. The MCF 22 notifies the call agent with SIP info request with flash to toggle between the call agents.

Referring to FIG. 11G, SIP messages for voicemail waiting notification include qualification directive request message 342 and qualification directive response message 344. The qualification directive request message 342 is generated by the call agent 24 and forwarded to the MCF 22 for processing. The qualification directive response 344 is generated by the MCF 24 in response to the request message 342 and forwarded to the call agent 24 for processing. The qualification directive request message 342 includes message wait notification count and message wait notification type SIP extension parameters. Alternatively, subscribe and notify methods may be used for message waiting notification.

Referring to FIG. 11H, SIP messages for voice mail retrieval include service request message 346 and location request response message 348. The service request message 346 is generated by the MCF 22 and forwarded to the call agent 24 for processing. The location request response message 348 is generated by the call agent 24 in response to the request message 346 and returned to the MCF 22 for processing.

Referring to FIG. 11I, SIP messages for calling name presentation and restriction (CNAP and CNAR) include ISUP IAM message 350. ISUP IAM message 350 is generated by the call agent 24 and forwarded to the MCF 22 for processing and includes calling party name SIP extension parameters.

Other supplementary services may comprise location update messages and location specific services. In one embodiment, location specific information is passed in the invite message. This information may be displayed in the called party screen. For example, new services like location identification restriction (LIR) and location identification presentation (LIP) may be implemented. Location specific information may comprise the serving cell site identifier or latitude longitude of the cell site with the FS 88 providing useful location information to mobile user or other party. The location specific information or services during a call may include alerts, advertisements, network congestion information and the like.

FIG. 12 illustrates call flow messages for caller location presentation (CLAP) and caller location restriction (CLAR) services in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the messages between the MCF 22 and the call agent 24 may be passed using extended SIP.

Referring to FIG. 12, a first mobile device 370 initiates a service request 372 which is passed to a first MCF 374 serving the first mobile 370. The MCF 374 forwards location information for the mobile device 370 to a location server 376. The location information may include caller ID, MCF ID and BTS ID. The location server 376 returns location coordinate information 378 to the first MCF 374. The location coordinate information may include identification of a nearest intersection and other readily usable, useful and/or understandable location information.

The first MCF 374 generates an invite message 380 for the service request, including the location coordinates 378. The invite message 380 is passed to a call agent 382.

The call agent 382 forwards the invite message with the location coordinates to a second MCF 384 servicing a second mobile 386 of the connection. The second MCF 384 determines whether CLAP is enabled for the called party and whether CLAR is enabled for the caller. If CLAR is not enabled for the calling party, the second MCF 384 will pass the location coordinates to the second mobile 386 if CLAP is enabled for the called party. If CLAR is enabled for the calling party, the second MCF 384 will not pass the location coordinates to the second mobile 386. Paging and servicing setup messages 388 are also passed from a second MCF 384 to the second mobile 386. Response and/or acknowledgment messages 390 may be passed back from the second MCF to the call agent 382 and from the call agent 382 to the first MCF 374. The MCF 374 may then pass a call party off hook message to the first mobile 370.

Although the present invention has been described with several embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

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 26. A method for enlisting one or more end users in a network environment in which signaling for a wireless access network occurs, comprising: enlisting one or more end users in a billing plan associated with network communications; generating a bill associated with one or more of the end users, the bill being based on the billing plan; and facilitating network communications for one or more of the end users in response to the end users being enlisted in the billing plan, whereby the network communications includes a protocol that comprises: receiving from a wireless access network a signaling message for a mobile device, the signaling message in a wireless-specific format; converting the signaling message to a native format of a call agent to generate a call agent message, the call agent message comprising wireless-specific information of the signaling message; and communicating the call agent message to a call agent for processing, whereby the call agent is operable to support location updates for the mobile device in the wireless access network, wherein the signaling message comprises a location update message for the mobile device.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the call agent message comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message, the SIP message comprising an extension including the wireless-specific information.
 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the signaling message comprises a call establishment message for the mobile device.
 29. The method of claim 25, wherein the signaling message comprises a mobility management message for the mobile device.
 30. The method of claim 25, wherein the signaling message comprises a registration message for the mobile device.
 31. The method of claim 25, wherein the call agent message comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message that may include location or other wireless event information.
 32. The method of claim 25, wherein the call agent message comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message, the signaling message being mapped to the SIP message using a lookup table.
 33. The method of claim 25, wherein the call agent message comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message, the SIP message being a standardized SIP message or including extensions, whereby wireless event information is extracted from the signaling message during conversion and encapsulated into an extension in the body of a SIP message.
 34. The method of claim 25, wherein the call agent message comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message, the SIP message, with or without an extension, is forwarded to the call agent for handling such that the call agent need not communicate with a mobility control functions (MCF) using a access network-specific protocol.
 35. The method of claim 25, wherein the call agent message comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message, the call agent responding to the SIP message or generating further control messages to process the SIP message.
 36. A computer readable medium having code for communicating control signaling for a wireless access network, the code operable to: receive from a wireless access network a signaling message for a mobile device, the signaling message in a wireless-specific format; convert the signaling message to a native format of a call agent to generate a call agent message, the call agent message comprising wireless-specific information of the signaling message; and communicate the call agent message to a call agent for processing, whereby the call agent is operable to support location updates for the mobile device in the wireless access network, wherein the signaling message comprises a location update message for the mobile device.
 37. The code of claim 36, wherein the call agent message comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message, the SIP message comprising an extension including the wireless-specific information.
 38. The code of claim 36, wherein the signaling message comprises a call establishment message for the mobile device.
 39. The code of claim 36, wherein the signaling message comprises a mobility management message for the mobile device.
 40. The code of claim 36, wherein the signaling message comprises a registration message for the mobile device.
 41. The code of claim 36, wherein the call agent message comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message that may include location or other wireless event information.
 42. The code of claim 36, wherein the call agent message comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message, the signaling message being mapped to the SIP message using a lookup table.
 43. The code of claim 36, wherein the call agent message comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message, the SIP message being a standardized SIP message or including extensions, whereby wireless event information may be extracted from the signaling message during conversion and encapsulated into an extension in the body of a SIP message.
 44. The code of claim 36, wherein the call agent message comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message, the SIP message, with or without an extension, is forwarded to the call agent for handling such that the call agent need not communicate with a mobility control functions (MCF) using a access network-specific protocol.
 45. The code of claim 36, wherein the call agent message comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message, the call agent responding to the SIP message or generating further control messages to process the SIP message. 